Contents Welcome from the Dean
2
Faculty of Arts
3
Comparative Literature
24
Bachelor of Arts
4
Art History
25
Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies
5
Gender Studies
26
History
27
Majors and Minors offered by the Faculty of Arts
7
Linguistics
28
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences
8
Music
29
5-Year Double Degree Programmes
9
Philosophy
30
Dual Degree Programmes
11
Experience at Arts
13
African Studies
32
School of Chinese
15
American Studies
33
Chinese History and Culture
16
China Studies
34
Chinese Language and Literature
17
European Studies
35
Hong Kong Studies
18
Global Creative Industries
36
Translation
19
Japanese Studies
37
21
Korean Studies
38
Language and Culture Programmes
39
School of English
01
Contents
School of Humanities
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
23
31
Centre for Applied English Studies
40
Centre of Buddhist Studies
41
Arts Association
42
Welcome from the Dean The Faculty of Arts at the University of Hong Kong is recognised throughout the world as a leading institution for research, teaching, and promoting the cultures of Asia and the West. As one of the University’s oldest and largest faculties, with a diverse and international staff, we have an enviable reputation as the most innovative Arts and Humanities Faculty in Asia. Located in Hong Kong, among the most vibrant and dynamic cities in Asia, we are unrivalled in our research into how the Humanities have shaped the cultural, social, and artistic interactions of East and West. There is no city in the world in which to study that is better situated in this respect than Hong Kong. You will find that within each department, programme, and discipline our staff members are all dedicated to developing your analytical skills, reflective capacity and creative expression. Enhanced by global experiences outside the classroom tailor-made for you, such a foundation will enable you to become well-informed, sophisticated, innovative and highly equipped for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. I invite you to join us for a unique and exciting journey of learning and discovery, and I look forward to welcoming you to HKU!
Professor Derek Collins Dean of Arts
Welcome from the Dean 02
FACULTY OF ARTS
The Faculty of Arts is one of the flagship faculties of the University of Hong Kong and one of the finest humanities faculties in the region and internationally. It was founded in 1912, when the University opened, and it has been a focus of academic life on campus ever since, building on its traditions to meet successive educational and intellectual challenges. The Faculty comprises four Schools and a Centre: the School of Chinese, School of English, School of Humanities, School of Modern Languages and Cultures, and Centre for Applied English Studies. The Centre of Buddhist Studies offers an undergraduate minor and postgraduate degrees through the Faculty. Teachers in the Faculty are committed to excellence in research, which feeds into the broad, liberal education they provide to students and the community. Arts graduates emerge with analytical, linguistic, critical and creative skills, a deep engagement with culture and global awareness, all of which create the foundation for effective leadership and success in a wide range of professional and life endeavours. Our graduates are well equipped to pursue careers in business, government, education, finance, sales and marketing, media, publishing, translation, hospitality and tourism, and in the non-profit and cultural sectors.
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021
1
st
in Hong Kong in Arts and Humanities
03
Faculty of Arts
27
th
in the world in Arts and Humanities
Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2021
1
st
in Hong Kong in Arts and Humanities
42
nd
in the world in Arts and Humanities
U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities by Subject 2021
1
st
in Hong Kong in Arts and Humanities
21
st
in the world in Arts and Humanities
Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Arts (JS6054)
The Bachelor of Arts (BA) programme involves a four-year curriculum. The first year is a "year of exploration", in which students are encouraged to pursue their own special interests but also to introduce themselves to subjects that are new to them. They have a wide range of choices, but are required to take at least 18 credits of introductory Arts courses, normally including the pre-requisite(s) of the programme(s) in which they plan to major or minor. At the end of Year 1, students decide on at least one Arts major. From Years 2 to 4, the BA programme offers a liberal and flexible curriculum, enabling students to develop their individual study programmes within a guided and academically coherent framework. Students can elect to pursue one Arts major plus a variety of other (Arts or nonArts) courses, which may achieve an additional major or up to two minors. Some programmes require students to have certain academic abilities, e.g. a certain level of language qualifications, before they are allowed to enroll in the programme. Students are advised to study carefully the requirements in the BA syllabuses for individual programmes.
Programme Website: arts.hku.hk/current-students/undergraduate
Diversity of choices
22
30
majors
minors
Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk
Liberal curriculum and flexible study schedule Year 1 Year of Exploration Year 2 and above Declare an Arts major
Emphasis on Capstone Experience Experiential Learning and Independent Research
- May study additional but optional major/minor(s) Undergraduate Programmes 04
Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies (JS6286) [Pending approval]
The Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and Digital Technologies (BA(HDT)) programme aims to equip talented students with the training in humanities and digital technologies needed to tackle the world’s multi-faceted cultural and social problems, and to train future leaders by endowing them with innovative thinking, problem-solving skills and an interdisciplinary mindset. The programme’s interdisciplinary structure combines a humanities focus (undertaken within a single Arts discipline) with a focus in interdisciplinary digital technologies. While it uses digital technologies to explore questions central to the arts and humanities and applies arts and humanities frameworks to digital tools and technologies, it also equips students with critical and analytical skills and humanist perspectives to ensure that they can probe the vulnerabilities, limits and possible misuses of digital technology, and the ways in which it impacts society and culture around the globe. The BA(HDT) will prepare students to make an impact in the workforce by providing them with a broader creative vision and the skills needed for innovation across a range of public and private sector enterprises. The interdisciplinary structure of the BA(HDT) gears to the knowledge and needs of humanists. The overlapping areas come together in the internship and capstone courses: a focus on experiential and project-based learning in the programme brings together students’ digital technology skills with their chosen humanities discipline to create a truly interdisciplinary programme structure and an individually-tailored learning experience.
Programme Website: arts.hku.hk/current-students/undergraduate 05
Undergraduate Programmes
Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk
Interdisciplinary structure
Conceptual curriculum structure
Combining a focus in interdisciplinary digital technologies and a humanities focus Compulsory Major in Humanities and Digital Technologies (6 compulsory courses and 10 elective courses)
Optional for students to pursue a second major or up to two minors (Arts or non-Arts) (Arts offers a diversity of 22 majors and 30 minors)
Emphasis on Internship, experiential learning, project-based learning and independent research
Humanities Focus
Interdisciplinary Digital Technologies Focus
Internship & Capstone Project
A guaranteed internship in the field of humanities and digital technologies is to be taken place in Years 3-4, which will help students to prepare for their research project (capstone experience) in Year 4
Undergraduate Programmes 06
Majors and Minors Offered by the Faculty of Arts Teaching Unit and Programme
Major
Minor
Teaching Unit and Programme
Major
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
School of Chinese Chinese History and Culture
✓
✓
African Studies
Chinese Language and Literature Hong Kong Studies
✓
✓
American Studies
✓
✓
Translation
✓
✓
✓
✓
Art History
✓
✓
Comparative Literature
✓
✓
Gender Studies
✓
✓
Japanese Culture
✓
✓
✓
General Linguistics
Japanese Language
✓
✓
✓
History
Korean Studies
Music
✓
✓
Portuguese
Philosophy
✓
✓
Spanish
School of English English Studies School of Humanities
Centre of Buddhist Studies Buddhist Studies
✓
✓ ✓
China Studies (Arts Stream)
✓
✓
European Studies
✓
✓
French
✓
✓
German
✓
✓
Global Creative Industries
✓
✓
Italian
✓
✓
Japanese Studies
✓
✓
✓ ✓
✓
✓
Swedish
✓
Thai
✓
Major in Literary Studies: Applicable to BA&LLB students only Major in Humanities and Digital Technologies [Pending approval]: Applicable to BA(HDT) students only
Majors and Minors Offered by the Faculty of Arts
✓ ✓
Arabic
(The Greek programme is currently suspended.)
07
Minor
Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (JS6212)
Why Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc)? We face an array of problems: war, climate change, inequality, aging, disease, depression, the list goes on. These problems are diverse and complex, and their solutions require us to take an interdisciplinary focus, understanding the complex interplay between politics, economics, biomedical sciences, computer sciences, philosophy, psychology, sociology and more. Such an understanding can also help us enhance other, more positive, areas of life such as education and culture. The BASc programme equips students with this interdisciplinary focus and prepares them to make an impact in the real world! Each student achieves these goals in a personalised and tailor-made manner whilst being supported by a mentor and other students from the BASc family.
Programme Website: basc.hku.hk/basc
Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk Undergraduate Programmes 08
Undergraduate Programmes 5-Year Double Degree Programmes Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (JS6078) A Flexible Career This exciting double degree programme offers highly indemand skills for careers in the law and beyond. Combining creativity, analysis, communication skills and rigorous legal training, the course equips graduates with the skillset and qualifications for a dynamic career. Many students from the programme go on to take their final qualifications preparatory to becoming a barrister or a solicitor in Hong Kong or abroad. The programme also offers many additional career options, including academia, journalism, politics, consulting, administration, and many more.
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (BA&LLB) Programme is a selective joint programme in Arts and Law. It uniquely offers two degrees in a single five-year course of study: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws. A Wealth of Opportunity BA&LLB students are part of a small and collegial cohort. They also participate in opportunities offered by both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Law – university clubs and societies, international exchange, legal competitions and internships, career advising and experiential learning. In addition, students in the BA&LLB programme have access to tailored internship and research opportunities in their final year, available only within the programme. A Unique Course of Study The programme develops skills in both the law and in text analysis. As a Literary Studies major in Arts, BA&LLB students can choose from subjects in English, Chinese, and comparative literature, language and communication, linguistics, translation studies, and many others. In Law, students take standard law courses as well as electives that allow them to explore their own legal interests. 09
Undergraduate Programmes
Ms Yuen Sharon Kit-yee BA&LLB Graduate The BA&LLB Programme has taught me that being truly interdisciplinary across multiple fields is a possibility. My five years at the University has been filled with courses that span over various degrees, activities that touch on both human rights, the performing arts and music, and internships that bridge the seemingly impossible gap between the arts and the law. I am currently the associate editor at Jumpstart Magazine, a platform for startups in Asia.
Programme Website: arts.hku.hk/current-students/undergraduate Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk
Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in Language Education - Chinese (JS6080) / English (JS6066)
These are five-year full-time double degree programmes offered jointly by the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Education. They integrate both academic and professional studies in Chinese or English language education. They incorporate a graduate teaching qualification and are regarded as the equivalent of a BA plus a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE). These programmes allow students to obtain two degrees (BA and BEd in language education) in five years, and to meet the language requirements for language teachers as recommended by the HK Government's Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR).
Programme Website: arts.hku.hk/current-students/undergraduate Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk Undergraduate Programmes 10
Undergraduate Programmes HKU-Sciences Po Dual Degree Programme Successful study of this four-year dual degree programme will give students two Bachelor's degrees from two highly respected international universities – one from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Institut d'études politiques de Paris), also known as Sciences Po, and one from the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Programme Website: arts.hku.hk/current-students/undergraduate/ BA/hku-sciences-po Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk
Undergraduate Programmes HKU-UC Berkeley Dual Degree Programme The dual degree programme jointly offered by HKU and UC Berkeley offers students a cross-cultural and transpacific undergraduate learning experience. Students will get two degrees from two worldleading universities upon completion of the four-year programme. Programme Website: hku.berkeley.edu/ Undergraduate Admissions Website: ug.arts.hku.hk
11
Undergraduate Programmes
Experience at Arts The Faculty offers a wide range of opportunities enriching students’ learning experience, including but not limited to dozens of local/ overseas internships, student exchange with a choice of over 300 overseas partner universities, field trips and cultural activities. These unique experiences are well integrated into the curricula and enable Arts students to acquire more knowledge and skills for future career development, with the base of their solid intellectual foundation.
Ms Lau Suet Yi Translation Major; Swedish, and General Linguistics Minor Semester Exchange at Uppsala University (2020 Graduate) Exchanging in Sweden has been the most rewarding experience I’ve ever had, and I am so glad to see all the positive changes on myself. I’ve become more appreciative of the nature; I’ve proven myself to be a good chef; I am not afraid of speaking English or Swedish anymore, even though I can’t speak either of them perfectly. It’s always exciting to give your young and energetic self a little challenge.
Ms Fok Tsz Ching, Shine Japanese Studies Major; and Global Creative Industries Minor Internship at Mitsui & Co. and Field trip to Japan (2021 Graduate) My internship programme at Mitsui & Co. was rewarding. I had the opportunity to join their meetings and field visits with clients. I am able to explore the industry more and enriched my experiences. Gratefully, I also joined the Young Leaders Tour of Japan. This is the most unforgettable experience in my university life that I had life-changing lessons from different people I met and broadened my vision.
13
Experience at Arts
Mr Wong Hon Ting, Matthew Translation, and European Studies Major (2020 Graduate) Semester Exchange at University of Bristol The exchange programme is a great way to explore. My exchange to Bristol was so unforgettable that I had the chance to try new hobbies, live independently in a foreign land, take interesting courses at another university, and make friends with other international students. It enriched my academic experience as well as personal growth, and is definitely one of the highlights of my study at HKU.
Ms Fung Yat I, Ivi History Major; and Chinese History and Culture Minor (2021 Graduate) Full-year Visiting Programme at Yale University I am grateful for having the opportunity to study at Yale where I had many exciting and intellectually-rewarding days like this - I have lectures with awardwinning professors, study in the resourceful archives and libraries, do research for a professor, and have a burst of laughter with my suitemates during dinner and parties where we meet more friends in deafening music!
Experience at Arts
14
SCHOOL OF CHINESE 中文學院
The School of Chinese comprises three units 中文學院由三個部門組成：
1. T he School proper which offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the areas of Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History and Culture, Translation, and Hong Kong Studies. 本科生和研究生的學位課程（中國語言文學、中國歷史文化、翻譯和香港研究）
2. T he Chinese Language Enhancement Programme (CLEP) which provides the
practical Chinese language courses that students are required to take to fulfil the university’s language requirements. 中文增補課程（為本科生提供實用語文必修課程）
3. T he Chinese Language Centre (CLC) which offers Putonghua courses to local students and “Chinese as a foreign language” courses to international students.
漢 語中心（為本地學生提供普通話課程及為國際學生提供中文作為外語課程）
We offer a broad range of courses in Chinese Language and Literature, Chinese History and Culture, Hong Kong Studies, as well as in Translation between Chinese and English. We also contribute to the teaching of the double degree programme of the BA&BEd (LangEd)-Chin. Students who have taken the first-year prerequisite courses can opt to major in any of these areas. Our Programmes are noted for the diversity of pedagogical approaches, the variety of subject matters, as well as the breadth and depth of coverage. Our primary objective is to equip students with the necessary skills to develop cross-disciplinary and global perspectives, to gain an appreciation for the life-long journey of learning, and to adopt a critical and creative approach to appraising Chinese and Western cultures.
General Office Room 8.01, 8/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 1199 (852) 2858 1334 chinese@hku.hk hku.hk/chinese 15
School of Chinese 中文學院
The School of Chinese has always valued academic research, which we consider to be the underpinning of the enterprise of education. Each year the School organises and participates in international academic exchange activities, including hosting international academic conferences on a regular basis. The School also publishes The Journal of Oriental Studies that enjoys a strong global reputation.
中文學院所教授的學科，內容廣泛多樣，涵蓋古今。目的在培養學生的專門及跨學科 知識，提升他們的獨立思考和批判能力，從而邁向終身學習的康莊大道。 注重學術研究是中文學院的優秀傳統，我們視研究為辦學的生命。學院每年都大量地 主持或參與國際學術交流活動，定期召開國際學術研討會，定期出版具有國際影響的 學術期刊《東方文化》。
School of Chinese
Chinese History and Culture 中國歷史文化
W The Chinese History and Culture major provides students with solid and critical training in China's history and its cultural tradition. Students can choose, and mix and match courses on China's imperial dynasties and their institutions, or courses on Chinese philosophy, religions, or other aspects of China's cultural life. In this way they can build up their own expertise on China, be it on early China, Tang or Song China, or Ming-Qing China, or on Chinese religions, Chinese thought, or Chinese material culture.
中國歷史文化課程由彼此關聯的兩大類別科目組成。一方面我們有針對中國歷朝歷代 的斷代史及相關的制度、經濟、社會史等科目，另一方面又有聚焦中國文化 傳 統 的 哲學、宗教、文化民俗、中外交流等科目。通過這些科目，同學能夠對於中國歷史及 文化有通貫瞭解和深入認識，並能對其進行批判反思。除了對於中國歷史文化的通盤 知識外，同學亦能通過不同科目的組合，形成自身對於中國歷史文化不同範疇領域， 譬如是先秦中國、唐代或宋代中國、明清中國、中國宗教、中國哲學思想、中國物質 文明等的專精才能。
Mr Lam Kai Chun General Office Room 8.01, 8/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 1199 (852) 2858 1334 chinese@hku.hk hku.hk/chinese
Chinese History and Culture, and Chinese Language and Literature Major The Chinese History and Culture Programme stimulates my reflection on China's past and prospect of future development. It offers me an opportunity to explore the history and culture of China from different aspects like political institutions, legal system, philosophy and religion. It has no doubt sharpened my research and analytical skills. A better understanding of the Chinese cultural and historical tradition can equip me for future challenges ahead. School of Chinese 中文學院 | Chinese History and Culture 中國歷史文化 16
School of Chinese
Chinese Language and Literature 中國語言文學
Chinese Language and Literature is not only among the earliest undergraduate programmes offered by HKU, but also has the longest history among similar programmes in Hong Kong universities. The Programme provides students with the analytical skills to critically evaluate and appraise scholarly views on controversial issues in Chinese language and literature. The Programme features two key components: The “language” component focuses on the study and research of the Chinese language from the perspective of linguistics, while the “literature” component encompasses topics in classical and modern Chinese literature, literary theory, literary history, as well as creative writing. Graduates of the Programme are not only equipped with a high proficiency in the Chinese language, but also have a comprehensive understanding of a broad range of subjects in Chinese studies. 中國語言文學課程是 香港大學最早提供的 本 科 課 程 之 一， 亦 是 本地歷史最悠久的中 文 課 程。 本 課 程 旨 在 培養學生於中國語言 及文學的學識與素養， 幫助學生建構分析及 評價相關學術議題的 能力。
本課程由兩個主要部分構成：「語言」學科結合語言學理論，從多角度介紹及討論古 今漢語的特點及發展；「文學」學科涵蓋古典文學及現代文學各個課題，包括文學理論、 文學發展史、文學創作等。本課程的畢業生能夠全面地掌握中文研究各範疇的學科知 識，並具備優良的中文書寫及溝通能力。
General Office
Ms Tong Nim Yan
Room 8.01, 8/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 1199 (852) 2858 1334 chinese@hku.hk hku.hk/chinese
Chinese Language and Literature, and Chinese History and Culture Major The Chinese Language and Literature Programme allows us to explore the diversity of ancient and modern Chinese culture. It offers me an opportunity to realise the magnificence of Chinese charm through a wide spectrum of courses, such as Chinese etymology, classical Chinese fiction and Chinese theatre, which has familiarised me with a broad range of different Chinese conceptions.
17
School of Chinese 中文學院 | Chinese Language and Literature 中國語言文學
School of Chinese
Hong Kong Studies 香港研究
Charting new academic territory internationally, Hong Kong Studies is the first undergraduate programme to focus on Hong Kong in a comprehensive structure in any university, not only in the Special Administrative Region but also overseas. The Programme explores Hong Kong society, its culture, creative industries, economy, politics, history and environment from an interdisciplinary perspective, adopting a “problem-based” approach where students engage with core issues in Hong Kong’s evolution. Hong Kong’s unique history as a city and a region, an imperial outpost, British colony and Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China presents a distinctive opportunity to examine important theoretical issues in changing cultural, social and political contexts. Hong Kong Studies is ideal for students whose interest in Hong Kong crosses over disciplinary divides, as well as for international students who would like to learn Cantonese and pursue a major or minor in Hong Kong Studies. It is also an ideal second major or minor for those pursuing degrees in education, business, journalism, and social work. Graduates will be prepared to enter a wide range of careers in the public and private sectors in which an advanced understanding of Hong Kong and Hong Kong’s role in the world is essential to success.
香港研究開創國際學術新領域，是全球第一個全面聚焦香港，從跨科際角度探索香港 社 會、 文 化、 創 意 產 業、 經 濟、 政 治、 歷 史 及 環 境， 採 用 問 題 導 向 的 學 習 模 式， 讓 學生思考香港演變的核心議題的本科課程。香港作為城市區域、帝國殖民地及中華 人民共和國特別行政區的獨特歷史，能為在變幻不定的文化、社會和政治脈絡中研究 重要理論課題提供難得的機會。對有志於從跨科際角度探研香港的本地同學，以及 對粵語和以香港研究作主修或副修感興趣的國際學生而言，香港研究都是十分理想的 本科課程。對主修或副修教育、商業、新聞及社會工作等學科的同學來說，本課程也 是理想的第二主修或副修。香港研究畢業生就業範疇多元，因為對香港及其在世界的 位置的充分掌握和理解在不少公私營行業都是成功要素。
Ms Wong Wing Lam, Vivian
General Office Room 8.01, 8/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 1199 (852) 2858 1334 chinese@hku.hk hku.hk/chinese
Hong Kong Studies, and Comparative Literature Major Hong Kong Studies is an entrance for us to relearn Hong Kong and re-read the city in its ever-changing era. It provides rooms for us to reimagine the future of the city and reconstruct our position in the city.
Mr Pit Hok Yau, Tim Hong Kong Studies, and Communication Studies Major (2021 Graduate) The Hong Kong Studies Programme has equipped me with research skills, cross-discipline theoretical knowledge and social awareness. These make me a versatile candidate for my job. School of Chinese 中文學院 | Hong Kong Studies 香港研究 18
School of Chinese
Translation 翻譯
Translation is one of the most popular subjects in the Faculty of Arts. With a wide range of courses covering both the theoretical and practical aspects of Translation Studies, we aim to cultivate bilingual professionals who are equipped with excellent language proficiency, acute insights on and adept skills in translingual communications, and profound knowledge on translation as a cross-cultural dialogue. Our curriculum provides trainings in various areas, such as legal interpreting, translation for business and administration purposes, literary translation, bilingual media and popular culture studies, Sinology, and film studies. Our teaching team consists of seasoned trainers and internationally leading scholars in the field of translation and cross-cultural studies. Our graduates are valued by employers in the government and private sectors, the media and education industries in Hong Kong and beyond. 翻譯是香港大學文學院最受歡迎的主修之一。港大翻譯歷史悠久，課程涵蓋理論與實 踐，致力於培養具有卓越語言能力和文化素養的雙語菁英。現有課程包括法律翻譯、商 務及行政翻譯、文學翻譯、媒體與流行文化雙語研究、漢學與電影研究等方面的訓練。 師資雄厚，畢業生在香港及世界各地廣受雇主青睞。
General Office Room 8.01, 8/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 1199 (852) 2858 1334 chinese@hku.hk hku.hk/chinese 19
School of Chinese 中文學院 | Translation 翻譯
Ms Chow Chung Yan Translation Major (2019 Graduate) My interest in cross-linguistic communication brought me to the Translation Programme. Translation is not only an indispensable instrument in today's globalized world, but also a meaningful bridge between cultures and identities. I am thankful for the learning experience, which has consolidated my open and inclusive attitude towards others' culture.
SCHOOL OF ENGLISH
General Office Room 7.35, 7/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2749 (852) 2559 7139 english@hku.hk english.hku.hk 21
School of English
The School of English offers the English Studies major and minor programme. Undergraduate students are first offered a number of introductory courses that focus on historical and theoretical foundations, as well as critical reading, analysis and writing, before moving on to more advanced courses. English Studies offers a broad curriculum of study in English literature(s), including creative writing, and socio-linguistics. The courses in both strands have a strong cross-cultural orientation, recognising English as a language of global communication and world literature. Major students may choose to specialize in the “Literature Stream” or “Language and Communication Stream.” If applicable, a dual recognition in both the “Literature Stream” and “Language and Communication Stream” is possible. The declaration of specialization stream(s) is optional and students can graduate with a major in English Studies without declaring any specialization stream(s).
Highlights The Creative Writing Studio offers a home at HKU to writers, dramatists, and artists. It has a long history of developing work by undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as forging ties with local artists and the community. The Studio is proudly the host or sponsor of longstanding programmes, including the MFA in Creative Writing, Yuan Yang: A Journal of Hong Kong and International Writing, The HKU International Poetry Prize, The Writers’ Series, and Moving Poetry, as well as new initiatives, including the HKU Black Box Theatre, artistinvisible, and Thirtyspokes theatre productions. Internship prepares students with an appreciation of communicative competence and a honing of transferable skills for a wide range of careers. Our internship opportunities are sourced in a diverse array of fields, including English education, curriculum and materials development, editorial and publishing, reading and literacy, literary events, research and database management, as well as event organisation, PR and marketing, and the (new) media.
Intern Gladys Ma with student at King George V School
Ms Shania Siu English Studies, and Global Creative Industries Major As an aspiring creative writer with a passion for both prose and poetry, I am truly fortunate to be in the English Studies Programme. It has connected me with like-minded peers and knowledgeable professors, allowing me to learn about and explore the English language in an encouraging and professional atmosphere. School of English 22
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES
General Office Room 9.01, 9/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 8276 (852) 2546 7477 scohug@hkucc.hku.hk soh.hku.hk 23
School of Humanities
The School of Humanities has seven disciplinary units: Comparative Literature, Art History, Gender Studies, History, Linguistics, Music and Philosophy. Each unit offers a major and minor programme. Our programme teams teach students to develop mastery of disciplinary knowledge, to make connections between disciplines and to enrich and deepen their understanding of our world.
School of Humanities
Comparative Literature Programme highlights: • Broad, rounded education in culture and history from a cosmopolitan perspective • Intellectually rewarding studies with an emphasis on written reasoning and communication • Credit-bearing internships with organisations in the following areas: cultural criticism and publishing, film and media, cultural curatorship and management, cultural innovation/ activism, nongovernment organisations, and teaching and creative education
We teach literary, film, and cultural texts beyond and across national and linguistic divides. We introduce students to critical theories, making them accessible and applicable in working environments and real-life situations. Students learn to see the world around them through diverse texts, mediums, and genres and grasp a set of analytical tools to tackle a wide range of cultural phenomena. Teaching staff in the Core of the Department conduct research and offer instructions in the following five areas: • Film and Visual Culture • Literary and Cultural Theory • Gender and Sexuality • Hong Kong and Asia • Postcolonial and Global Studies Our signature Internship Programme places students in film production and distribution agencies, local publishing venues, NGOs in the cultural sector, and art curatorship and management positions as part of their Capstone experience.
Ms Nicolette Lee Tsz Ho Comparative Literature Major; Chinese Language and Literature, and Global Creative Industries Minor Comparative Literature gave me an opportunity to explore different contexts and narratives, and to delve into a variety of cultural landscapes and productions. With the Internship Programme led by Dr Fiona Law, I got to work for the Hong Kong International Literary Festival and learned more about literary and art administration. It was such a rewarding experience.
General Office Room 9.58, 9/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2769 (852) 2857 7955 complit@hku.hk complit.hku.hk
Mr Sam Shek Ka Lok Comparative Literature Major; Philosophy Minor Comparative Literature is like a big family to me. Teachers are so nice and knowledgeable. They care about us as individuals. The Internship Programme was an eye-opening experience. I will miss the place and the people and I absolutely want to be in all the alumni photos in the future! School of Humanities | Comparative Literature 24
School of Humanities
Art History Programme highlights: • Exciting courses in Asian, western, and Hong Kong art history • Local field trips to view art and architecture in person • A museum studies course for professional training • A competitive internship course and summer internships • Need-based and merit-based travel grants for students to experience art overseas • A network of Art History alumni throughout the Hong Kong art world The Department of Art History teaches the history of art and explores the roles of images in the world today. Art history invites students to reach out across different cultures, regions and time frames. Courses are offered in the art of East, South, and Southeast Asia, Europe and the Islamic world, and the United States. Here students can examine the processes of human creativity, as they are manifested in almost any media, from painting, sculpture, calligraphy, ceramics and jades, architecture, and gardens to performance art, photography and mass media. Museum studies training is provided by means of a course and internship for selected students. No artistic ability or previous knowledge of art history is required. Art history is a comfortable partner to other humanities subjects which develop abilities in creative and critical thinking. Students will learn to develop a command of analytical writing, visual analysis and critical interpretation, and will become familiar with different modes of cross-cultural communication.
General Office Room 10.33, 10/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 7040 (852) 2548 0987 art.history@hku.hk arthistory.hku.hk 25
School of Humanities | Art History
Ms Ngan Tung, Caroline Art History Major (2017 Graduate) I was instantly fascinated by the lively lectures, and by this discipline, in particular the way it reflects how art, humanity and history are so intrinsically connected.
School of Humanities
Gender Studies Programme highlights: • Chart an individualised path of study by choosing from a diversity of courses • Pursue an internship for credit • Create an original capstone project in the final year
Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary discipline that bridges the arts and humanities with the social sciences and the natural sciences to explain the human experience. As a subject, gender includes gender relations and identities, women, and sexualities. As a category of analysis, gender intersects with other categories of social difference, such as race, ethnicity, social class and ability to interrogate cultural production, structures of knowledge and systems of power. The Gender Studies major includes a structured core curriculum of three required Gender Studies courses, and a flexible selection of elective courses on gender, women and sexuality. Electives can be taken in the Gender Studies Programme, in other Faculty of Arts programmes, or in other faculties, such as Education and Law. Gender Studies majors develop expertise on gender, equity and inclusion, as well as skills in critical thinking and creative problem solving, making them uniquely positioned to work across multiple sectors in Hong Kong, including corporate, arts, government, public service and non-governmental. General Office Room 9.01, 9/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 4182 (852) 2546 7477 genderst@hku.hk genderstudies.hku.hk
Ms Bidhya Shrestha Gender Studies Major; Sociology Minor (2021 Graduate) I chose to do a major in Gender Studies because I believe that society can only prosper when there is an end to intersectional oppression of individuals that do not fit in the gender binary of male and female. My belief is that, through gender awareness, we can work to lift individuals rather than to oppress them. School of Humanities | Gender Studies 26
School of Humanities
History Programme highlights: • An enormous variety of courses designed along an integrated curricular spine linking introductory to advanced level offerings • Award winning teachers provide a dynamic learning environment • Courses cover methods, interpretations and a wide range of geographical areas • Independent research, collaborative projects and funded field trips at advanced levels
Year in and year out, the ongoing debates in Hong Kong over the kind of place it wants to be confirm for us above all the old dictum: “The past is never dead, it’s not even the past.” History is central to understanding the world we experience, and the kind of world we dream of building. Our department is fully equipped to provide students with the kind of multi-disciplinary knowledge Hong Kong and the world demand. Our department’s staff teach a variety of courses on the history of Hong Kong, China and around the world. Our courses cover the different social, cultural, gender, political, economic and environmental aspects of history that allow students the choice of either a broad, crossdisciplinary learning approach, or a more specialised and targeted exploration of the past. While you discover your own interests, you will become part of a community together with worldleading historians whose research is developed and enriched by their interaction with students. Students learn how to conduct primary sourcebased research, build arguments, think creatively about the past, and enhance their cultural sensitivity of other societies. General Office Room 10.63, 10/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2874 (852) 2858 9755 history@hku.hk history.hku.hk 27
School of Humanities | History
Ms Chan Ho Wing, Zoe History, and English Studies Major; Hong Kong Studies Minor Studying History at HKU is such an amazing experience, which enables me to uncover just how different societies, culture, beliefs, and politics were in the past and how we got from then to now. The analytical and communication skills that I have developed throughout my studies are definitely of great help to my career journey.
School of Humanities
Linguistics Programme highlights: • Linguistics at HKU ranked 1st in Asia and 10th or 11th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for several consecutive years. • Overseas field trips to countries such as Korea, Malaysia, Japan, Denmark, Greece, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mauritius, Indonesia, as well as to Mainland China, to research little known languages and develop relationships with students from partner universities. • Research and teaching in all the core areas of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, syntax, grammar, sociolinguistics and computational linguistics. • Choice of five streams (concentrations): Sound, Grammar, Language and Mind, Language Contact and Change, and Quantitative Linguistics. These streams serve as guidelines to help one build her/ his study plan, and students are totally free to choose courses in and across streams according to their own interests. • Facilities to support the pursuit of nearly any area of linguistic research: a phonology laboratory, including ultrasound technology, a psycholinguistics laboratory, and state of the art digital recording equipment for field trips.
Linguistics is the study of human language. It covers aspects like the grammar and history of different languages across the world, together with the culture and society of their speakers. It includes the study of the biological and psychological dimensions of language, for example, how language is learnt by children or processed in the brain while we speak. More and more, it also relates to how machines may understand language and interact with us. Linguistics draws on knowledge from many scientific disciplines. Students learn to use software to analyse the grammar of languages, many of which have never been studied. Phonology, the study of sounds, makes use of methods from physics. Comparing the history of different languages often involves the use of statistics. A linguist may ponder over old manuscripts in an ancient language or study youth culture in Tokyo. Scanners and eye-trackers in a high-tech laboratory can show how language is organised in our brains. Linguistics provides essential skills for many careers in which language and communication play a role. This includes teaching, academic research, journalism and publishing. Linguists help develop user interfaces, programme language and speech recognition software and improve artificial intelligence. Linguists are also sought after in business for their understanding of the role of communication, negotiation, and information management. Come study with us and understand what language is about!
General Office Room 9.30, 9/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 8606 (852) 2546 7477 linguist@hku.hk linguistics.hku.hk
Ms Sannah Bajaj General Linguistics Major (2020 Graduate) Taking Linguistics was the best decision I have ever made. From being taught by the best professors to learning about languages in such an in-depth way to travelling to Greece to complete my Capstone. I have learnt and grown tremendously as a person and Linguistics has definitely enhanced my life for the better! School of Humanities School of|Humanities Linguistics 28
School of Humanities
Music Programme highlights: •P rovides a comprehensive tertiary education that integrates music scholarship, composition, and performance •W ide range of courses, including history and analysis of Western music, Chinese music, world and popular musics, film and electronic music, composition, and performance •E xcellent resources including a professional recording and electronic music studio, concert and rehearsal venues, practice rooms, and a large musical instrument collection •O pportunities to engage and perform with much soughtafter artists from across the world
A Connected Place The Music Department is a leading centre of research excellence in the region, with world-renowned scholars from across the globe who play a significant role in shaping the study of music today. Students who graduate from our undergraduate and M.Phil. programmes continue their studies in many top tiers universities, including Harvard University, Cornell University, Princeton University, Yale University, Oxford University, University of Michigan, City University of New York; and many win international prizes for their work. Joining our department will connect you with the wider world of musicology. A Happening Place As a department, we do not just think about music, we aim to make music happen. Our students engage and perform with much sought-after artists from across the world. Our University Artists – from Trey Lee to the Juilliard Quartet – inspire the HKU community with the best music making. Our MUSE concert series, with world-renowned artists, is the most exciting in Hong Kong.
and Minors in year 2, 3 and 4 taking performance studies, carefully choosing teachers to meet individual needs and offer opportunities for our composers to hear their works performed, often by major artists. The Department is a happening place, providing a culturally enriching environment for immersive learning. An Integrated Place Whether studying music of Japan on a field trip to Tokyo or recording a composition in our Electroacoustic Studio; analysing Mozart or music for the qin; making chamber music or performing in a percussion ensemble; theorising film music or exploring the relationship between music, mind, and science – we aim to broaden our students’ horizons and equip them with skills for the twenty-first century. We provide an integrated learning experience in music second to none in the region.
Normally, we cover instrumental tuition for all first year students, Music Majors General Office Room 11.03, 11/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 7045 (852) 2858 4933 music@hku.hk hku.hk/music 29
School of Humanities | Music
Mr Enoch Kao Biochemistry, and Music Major Majoring in music has given me the opportunity to experience an incredible journey through history, styles, and media - from ancient Gregorian chants to avant-garde, electronic experimental music, or from West to the East. I have learned to integrate creativity and theory in music-making. More importantly, and have realised that music is not merely production of beautiful sounds, but rather a perception of beauty.
School of Humanities
Philosophy Programme highlights: • A great springboard for careers in law, medicine, journalism, politics, and others • Courses connect to many other subjects across the university (science, religion, language, psychology) • Philosophy improves your writing skills, and gives you lots of practice • You learn to be a more critical thinker, stronger reasoner, and more persuasive arguer • Teaches you how to identify and think about the philosophical issues in everyday life • Helps us identify fallacies and fake news • Stimulate our thinking and creativity • Teaches you to live a more reflective, examined life
Philosophy does not teach you what to think. It teaches you how to think. In philosophy, we use critical thinking and logic to examine fundamental questions about life, religion, science, ethics, and politics. Because it emphasises critical thinking, philosophy is of great practical value for students. Whatever you choose to do in the future, you need to be able to think well and solve problems effectively. Good critical thinking also improves your language and presentation skills. The Philosophy Department offers a wide range of courses, including courses in both Western and Chinese philosophy. There are two introductory philosophy courses for first-year students. Students can also take courses in logic, and common core courses on many different topics, such as critical thinking, the philosophy of food, and Chinese Philosophy.
General Office Room 10.13, 10/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2796 (852) 2559 8452 philosophy@hku.hk philosophy.hku.hk
Ms Chan Wen Shan Philosophy Major Philosophy has taught me to clearly reflect on ideas and to appreciate the reasoning behind them. A clear mind is not only beneficial to my studies, but also to my other endeavours in life. School of| Humanities School of Humanities Philosophy 30
SCHOOL OF MODERN LANGUAGES AND CULTURES
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures (SMLC) aims at creating the appropriate environment to foster research, teaching and learning in area studies and languages. The African Studies, American Studies, China Studies, European Studies, Global Creative Industries, Japanese Studies, and Korean Studies Programmes provide an interdisciplinary approach to the study of cultures and societies in their respective parts of the world. Apart from dedicated teaching staff from our own school, teaching staff attached to the School from other disciplines, such as business, art history, geography, history, music and sociology, also contribute to these programmes, thus offering a wide array of perspectives. The language and culture programmes are taught by specialist teachers and are supported by excellent teaching facilities and learning resources. Students enrolled in these programmes are strongly encouraged to travel abroad during the course of their studies. With over 50 teaching staff from around the globe, SMLC is a major contributor to the diverse learning opportunities that the University of Hong Kong offers.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 smlc@hku.hk smlc.hku.hk 31
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
• African Studies • American Studies • China Studies • European Studies • Global Creative Industries
1 2
• Japanese Studies • Korean Studies • Language and Culture Programmes Arabic, French, German, Greek1, Italian, Portuguese, Russian2, Spanish, Swedish, Thai
The Greek programme is currently suspended. Russian courses are offered under European Studies programme.
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
African Studies Programme highlights: • Only African Studies Programme in Hong Kong and southern China • An interdisciplinary study of Africa • Proficiency course in an African language • Two-week experiential learning field trip to an African country
African Studies is a fast growing programme that offers a variety of exciting courses. It is particularly important to Hong Kong students because of China’s rapidly growing economic, cultural and diplomatic relationship with the African continent. Our first year foundation courses provide a general overview of the history, geography, cultures, arts, languages, and politics of Africa. They also introduce pressing issues that concern the continent such as nation-building, economic development, social and political conflicts, health and Africa’s place in the contemporary world. Upper-level courses as well as the field trip to selected African nations are aimed at the acquisition of an in-depth knowledge in African languages and linguistics, musical and visual arts, literature and Africa-China relations. They will also provide students with skills necessary to communicate and interact in cross-cultural situations that involve Africans and Chinese.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 ftesfaye@hku.hk african.hku.hk
Mr Lee Chak Keung, Ivan English Studies Major; African Studies Minor African Studies does not sound interesting until one starts their first lesson. We were inspired to appreciate while critically examining challenges, opportunities, and dynamic cultures in many African countries. By studying texts and investigating issues related to Africa with the help from our lecturers, I realised my flaws in thinking about Africa-related issues, and gained insights to examine the current situation of Hong Kong. School of Modern Languages and Cultures | African Studies 32
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
American Studies Programme highlights: •P rovides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of different cultures of the Americas in a hemispheric sense, and in the context of global languages, cultures, and creative industries • Credit-bearing field trip to the United States or Latin America • Opportunities to gain valuable working experience in a US/ Latin American business or non-governmental organisation
As a student majoring or minoring in the American Studies Programme, you will develop an understanding of the Americas in a hemispheric sense and as part of a global context to appreciate how contemporary popular culture grows out of important historical events of the distant and recent past. By nature, the Programme’s courses are interdisciplinary and include films, history, law, literature, politics and the visual arts. Through the study of the continent’s multicultural energy, students learn about more than the different cultures of the Americas – students also grow to understand general concepts of nationalism, imperialism, colonialism, post-colonialism, and neoliberalism as well as theories of class, gender, race, and sexuality. We will encourage you to become a confident intellectual who analyses with care and rigour the various modes of communication, from novels, poetry, photography and movies, to legal documents, news magazines, television shows, and the internet. The curriculum also includes an intensive field trip to the United States or Latin America during the summer. The American Studies Programme offers a vibrant and exciting experience with dedicated faculty who are deeply committed to excellent teaching and scholarship. With courses that are challenging but fun and friendly, the professors will encourage you to develop excellent skills of analysis and communication that will enable you to have a strong and successful professional life.
Photo Credit: Alma Weijia Chen
Ms Wong Lai Yi, Hebe American Studies, and Fine Arts Major (2020 Graduate) I have always been interested in American culture, especially pop culture like music, film and television. American Studies courses enable me to learn more about not only pop culture, but also the history and religion that shaped it. The courses are fun and well-rounded and cover many aspects of American life!
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 amstudy@hku.hk amstudy.hku.hk 33 School of Modern Languages and Cultures | American Studies
Ms Leung Shu Sum, Samantha English Studies, and American Studies Major The American Studies major allows a comprehensive study of the US, I find it rewarding because it enhances my critical thinking. I was lucky to participate in the first ever Latin American course this year, and I am happy to say it has broadened my perspective on America as a continent in a fun and inspiring way.
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
China Studies Programme highlights: •M ulti-Disciplinary and MultiDimensional Studies of China and the World - The first and only crossfaculty major at HKU - Excellent China scholars as core teaching staff - Courses offered from multiple faculties and disciplines • Student-centred and Research-informed Teaching - Interactive lectures featuring diverse activities - Hands-on research training - Research-teaching synergy • Experiential Learning - Field trips out of Hong Kong: On-site visits and seminars to various parts of China
China Studies is an interdisciplinary programme aimed at giving students a broad-based education about China—its language, culture, history, society, economy, governance, environment, and people. A mandatory first-year course, jointly taught by instructors in the Arts and Social Sciences faculties, showcases the best of international scholarship on modern China. In their second, third or fourth years, students take courses that explore how people within and outside of China have shaped what is China over the centuries and, in turn, how China has represented itself to the world. Students may also choose from an extensive and diverse list of elective courses on offer in the Faculties of Arts, Social Sciences, Education and Business and Economics. To complement their coursework, students are encouraged to undertake internships or periods of exchange in Greater China (mainland, Taiwan) and other parts of the world. Graduates are able to evaluate information about China in a range of media, apply interdisciplinary knowledge to new problems and challenges attendant on China’s rapid economic growth and emergence as a world power, and contribute to Hong Kong’s strength as the gateway region of communication, cultural exchange, trade, and cooperation between China and the world. China Studies graduates have pursued careers in government, mass media, industry and business, NGOs, think tanks, education and research.
Ms Lau Ka Ying, Tiara China Studies, and Japanese Studies Major; Korean Studies Minor (2021 Graduate) The China Studies Progamme offers a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and opportunities to students, such as history, international relations, culture, field trips, and internships. I have developed my interest in the East Asia Region. This programme has equipped me to develop my critical thinking and research skills for future careers and studies.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 lekim@hku.hk chinast.hku.hk
Mr Ren Yongyi, Tony China Studies, and Marketing Major Preserving the essence of traditional Chinese culture and cosmopolitan western ideology, Hong Kong is an exceptional destination for appraising Greater China. The programme of China Studies provides a wide range of visions, investigating the specific discipline in China and inspires the students to think critically in the intricate social background. School of Modern Languages and Cultures | China Studies 34
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
European Studies Programme highlights: • An interdisciplinary approach to the study of contemporary civilisation with a solid foundation at least in one European language • Courses cover a range of topics, dimensions and issues pertaining to contemporary Europe • Credit-bearing field trip to Europe The Programme in European Studies provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of contemporary European civilisation with a solid foundation in at least one European language – French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, or Swedish. Our courses are tailored to cover a range of topics, dimensions, and issues pertaining to contemporary Europe. Students who choose to major in European Studies learn about and analyse European history, the continent’s political systems, the European Union and the economic conditions prevailing across the continent, European cultures and national identities, European literature and arts, as well as ideologies, religions, and philosophical ideas which shape Europe. The field trip to Europe, which is required for majors in European Studies, allows students to investigate the political, economic, and cultural attributes of European societies. There is financial assistance available for this trip. The Programme aims to produce graduates who are able to take full advantage of the many new employment opportunities which are opening up as economic and cultural contacts between Europe and China continue to grow stronger.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 fichter@hku.hk europe.hku.hk 35 School of Modern Languages and Cultures | European Studies
Mr Chan Yan Fung, Albert European Studies Major (2018 Graduate) By majoring in European Studies, I embarked on the journey to explore Europe, the place from which many influential ideas originated. The programme structure includes topics on society, culture and politics which allow me to freely develop my interests and express my thoughts. Learning an additional language has also become a significant advantage for my career development.
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Global Creative Industries Programme highlights: • Annual academic conference/ forum • Local/overseas internship opportunities • Class projects that build up students’ entrepreneurial spirits • Pioneering and practical courses on fashion and luxury, TV industry, financing for GCI, and entrepreneurship • Careers in the arts and cultural industries, as well as a wide range of other creative industries, such as advertising, publishing, broadcasting, leisure and entertainment
The creative industries have become one of the fastest-growing and increasingly influential sectors of the global economy. As such, they have attracted the attention of almost everyone, from Government policy makers to academics in a variety of disciplines (economics, economic geography, marketing, management studies, sociology, organization studies, and social and cultural anthropology). The Global Creative Industries Major provides an interdisciplinary framework for the study of the complex relations and interactions between commerce and culture. It examines and analyzes the intertwined cultural, economic, social and political forces behind the commercialization of creativity and the culturalization of commerce at an industry-level. Through its global and comparative emphasis, the Programme aims primarily to engage students in examining different perspectives on culture and to reflect critically on its changing roles, forms and contents in today’s society in which culture and commerce increasingly overlap with each other. This Programme establishes an East-West global framework for the comparative study of the creative industries in Asia and the West. It provides students with a panoramic view of the emergence, development and future prospect of the creative industries at global, regional, national as well as local levels. It aims to examine some broad issues of creative industries in (I) digital media and entertainment, (II) intellectual property rights and ethical issues, (III) branding, marketing and advertising, (IV) cultural policy, governance, and politics, (V) management in creative industries, and (VI) experiential learning in creative industries. It covers topics ranging from the cultural critique of the development of the creative industries, to the examination of the process of cultural production by the way of the assessment of cultural policy, as a means to provide students with chances to explore and analyze the interplay of culture, business and politics.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 fattymax@hku.hk gcip.hku.hk
Ms Zhang Zhi Xuan, Jhansi Global Creative Industries Major (2021 Graduate) I chose Global Creative Industries as my major because it provides a bridge between creativity and business, which is competitive for an arts student’s career. School of Modern Languages and Cultures | Global Creative Industries 36
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Japanese Studies Programme highlights: • Integrated programme exploring a wide range of approaches to understanding Japan • Learn about connections between Hong Kong and Japan • Study on exchange at Japanese universities (scholarships available) • Internships with Japanese companies in Hong Kong • Graduate career opportunities in Hong Kong and Japan The Japanese Studies Programme offers an exciting and comprehensive undergraduate programme designed to give students a broad-based education on Japan. Students are trained, first and foremost, to become fluent in the Japanese language. Our language courses cater to a range of competencies and emphasise the development of sound reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. We also teach a diverse range of courses on Japanese history, culture, society, literature and anthropology. Students develop transferable and highly valued skills throughout their degree such as critical thinking and analysis, research, writing and presentation skills. Experiential learning is a key area of undergraduate education at HKU and the Japanese Studies Programme excels in promoting opportunities for learning outside the classroom. Our students can study at one of our twenty partner institutions as exchange students for up to one year. In addition, second and third year students can apply for the Summer Internship Programme and gain invaluable experience working with Japanese businesses and organisations located in Hong Kong and Japan. General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 ynakano@hku.hk japanese.hku.hk 37 School of Modern Languages and Cultures | Japanese Studies
Ms Ma Yan Loi Jacqueline Japanese Studies Major; Translation Minor (2021 Graduate) Japanese Studies has provided me with life-changing international exposure and allowed me to learn Japanese culture through in-depth studies of the language under the guidance of great educators. It also provided a platform for me to meet people who share the same passion, gaining friendships and memories to cherish for life.
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Korean Studies Programme highlights: • One and only Korean Studies major in Hong Kong • Comprehensive curriculum of Korean culture, history, and mastery of language • Intensive language courses by highly experienced teachers • Exchange programmes with top universities in Korea
The Korean Studies Programme provides a multi-faceted and interdisciplinary approach to the study of Korean language and culture. HKU is the only UGC-funded tertiary institution in Hong Kong where students can major in Korean Studies. Major and Minor students in the Programme not only study the Korean language, but also learn about the country’s history, culture, and society, and will develop a comprehensive understanding of Korea in a global context. All language courses are taught by native speakers of Korean. Instruction is always interactive, and student participation is highly encouraged. At the introductory level, no previous knowledge of Korean is required. Korean Studies courses focus on various aspects of Korean society and culture within the interdisciplinary framework of Area Studies, encouraging students to discuss matters relating to Korea in a critical and analytical fashion. Graduates from the Korean Studies Programme will be able to act as a bridge between Koreans and the people of Hong Kong, Mainland China and other countries. The curriculum provides a solid foundation for positions in both the public and private sectors that require high-level Korean linguistic competency and advanced knowledge of Korea as a nation. It is an ideal second major or minor for students pursuing degrees in education, business, journalism, science, and computer technology.
Ms Lo Wing Tung, Bonnie Korean Studies, and Geography Major (2021 Graduate) I chose to pursue a major in Korean Studies as I was interested in learning Korean language, history, and society. The Korean Studies curriculum is very well-structured and comprehensive that not only does it offer Korean language courses, but also non-language courses on different topics related to Korea such as Korean history and literature. This allows students to attain high level of proficiency in Korean and gain insights in Korean history and society. I truly enjoy doing Korean Studies at HKU and I am going to do a master’s degree in Korean Studies at Yonsei University to further explore Korea and sharpen my Korean proficiency.
Ms Wong Tsz Wing General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 smlc@hku.hk korean.hku.hk
Korean Studies, and English Studies Major (2021 Graduate) I originally took Korean language courses so that I would be able to understand without looking at the subtitles when watching Korean shows. Thanks to the teachers' help, it was quite easy to pick up on the language and I had fun learning it. I then found my interest in Korean literature wherein I was able to utilise my analytical skills. This prompted me to further my studies at the University of Toronto upon graduation to learn more about their literature as well as the cultural backgrounds and ideologies represented in them. | Korean School of Modern Languages and Cultures School of Humanities Studies 38
School of Modern Languages and Cultures
Language and Culture Programmes
The School of Modern Languages and Cultures offers majors in French, German, Italian, and Spanish, with courses ranging from language to culture, linguistics, translation and literature, as well as minors in Arabic, Greek*, Portuguese, Swedish, and Thai. Russian courses are offered under European Studies Programme. These programmes are taught by specialist teachers and supported by excellent teaching facilities and learning resources. With modern language laboratories, audio-visual and computer facilities, and multimedia learning centres, the School provides one of the best equipped environments for the teaching and learning of languages in Asia. Students can also practise these languages in their natural setting through longer stays, arranged by the School, in the respective countries or areas of the world where these languages are spoken. The School’s strength lies in the breadth of its offerings in equipping students with the requisite language skills, as well as with cultural, literary, economic, political, and social analytical knowledge. As globalisation intensifies, there is a growing demand from employers for potential employees that have international exposure. Learning a foreign language not only provides students with employability skills, it also broadens their horizons and opens their minds to the amazing cultural diversity and opportunities found in our world today. The School also offers non-degree courses in French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, and Spanish to students throughout the University.
General Office Room 5.01, 5/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2000 (852) 2548 0487 smlc@hku.hk smlc.hku.hk
*The Greek programme is currently suspended.
39 School of Modern Languages and Cultures | Language and Culture Programmes
CENTRE FOR APPLIED ENGLISH STUDIES
The Centre for Applied English Studies (CAES) is committed to enhancing the language and communication skills you need now at HKU. Most importantly, CAES will help you develop your academic literacy skills so you can perform better in your university courses. We understand that the English you need to write reports and essays, give presentations, work in seminars, and talk in tutorials is very different to the English you might be used to. Using a highly interactive approach to teaching, which is supported by IT and self-directed learning materials, we hope to provide English support for you based on the ways you need to use language to communicate with different audiences and stakeholders in your discipline. We strive to… • keep our class size to no more than 20 students to maximise your learning opportunities, participation and motivation. • focus our teaching on the language needs of your subject discipline. • use a variety of delivery modes (e.g. seminars, small-group discussions/ tutorials, one-to-one sessions) to suit your specific learning objectives. • support your communication needs while at HKU by offering individualised support through our Digital Literacy Lab, Speaking Studio, Writing Centre and through English Language Advising. These Communication Support Services (CSS) collaborate with teachers in faculties to identify how we can support students’ communication needs to provide targeted workshops, consultations and facilities. • cater for your individual learning needs by offering Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) (e.g. concise writing, impactful presentation), specialised workshops (e.g. IELTS preparation, pronunciation, social English), discussion groups and individual consultation sessions to support you all the way until you graduate. • offer an experiential learning opportunity to students of all disciplines and backgrounds to teach English as a communication tool to marginalized communities in South East Asia in the summer. (CAES2001 Nurturing Global Leaders). •e nhance your leadership and digital literacy skills by offering a range of elective courses. General Office Room 6.60, 6/F, Run Run Shaw Tower (852) 3917 2004 (852) 2547 3409 caes@hku.hk caes.hku.hk
Ms Ko Yi Lam, Elaine English Studies, and Art History Major Despite being online, CAES9204 Academic English: History offered abundant opportunities for me to interact with my classmates through regular group writing tasks and practical feedback sessions. The course demystifies the essay writing process and has certainly equipped me with transferable skills as I learn to build my essay on a history topic that piques my interest. Centre for Applied English Studies 40
CENTRE OF BUDDHIST STUDIES Programme highlights: • The only minor programme in Buddhist Studies in Hong Kong • Interdisciplinary approach to the study of the world’s main Buddhist schools and traditions • Courses in Buddhist languages such as Tibetan, Pāli and Sanskrit
Since its inauguration in 2002, the Centre of Buddhist Studies (CBS), one of the first academic centres to focus on Buddhist studies at local universities, has been committed to interdisciplinary research on the world’s main Buddhist schools and traditions. We offer a diverse range of undergraduate courses that focus on a historical and contemporary understanding of Buddhism. All our courses may be taken to meet the requirements of a declared Minor in Buddhist Studies, or count as free electives. Students from ALL faculties are welcome. We are offering courses in the following areas that can be taken during any year of study: • Introduction to Religious Studies • Buddhism in Today’s World • Buddhist Psychology and Mental Cultivation • Buddhism through Film • Buddhist Art and Architecture • Chinese Buddhist Art • Buddhism and Economics • Literary Tibetan, Sanskrit and Pāli languages In addition to our academic programmes, we also organise various activities such as guest lectures, meditation retreats, days of mindfulness, field trips, and film shows. We welcome you to visit our General Office or website for more information on our courses and activities. General Office Room 4.15, 4/F, The Jockey Club Tower (852) 3917 5009 (852) 2549 3040 buddhism@hku.hk buddhism.hku.hk 41 Centre of Buddhist Studies
Ms Sung Pui Yee, Agnes Biochemistry Major; Buddhist Studies Minor (2021 Graduate) Having a strong interest in the Archaeology of Buddhism and Silk Road, this minor in Buddhist Studies strengthened my knowledge in this field. It provided fundaments such as Buddhist philosophy, Buddhist Art and important languages such as Tibetan and Sanskrit, which equipped me well for further studies.
ARTS ASSOCIATION
Arts Association is one of the earliest Faculty Societies founded at the University of Hong Kong. The Association has now grown to include twelve affiliated Academic Societies, namely Art History Society, Chinese Society, English Society, French Society, German Association, History Society, Japanese Society, Korean Society, Linguistics Society, Music Society, Society of Comparative Literature and Spanish Society. Together, we aim to cater for students' diverse interests and foster comradeship. We endeavour to organise events and provide welfare of various kinds with the view to facilitating comprehensive development of Arts Students. The Association helps promote understanding between the Faculty and students by facilitating communication on faculty policies and university affairs. We also ensure that students are well informed of the latest development within the University. In collaboration with the twelve Academic Societies, the Association provides services and organises activities to enrich students' university life and experience. Such events include Arts Series, Dean's Forum, High Table Dinner, Orientation Series and Welfare Week.
Society Room Room 4.20, Run Run Shaw Tower artsasso@hku.hk
Arts Association 42